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Grammy nominees: What voters got right and wrong

By Jim Harrington, Bay Area News Group

Posted:
12/09/2013 09:26:37 AM MST

Updated:
12/09/2013 09:26:38 AM MST

Kanye West shares with the Design Miami/ Basel audience parts of its unreleased new album Yeezus during a listening session at Design Miami/ Basel on June 12, 2013 in Basel, Switzerland. (The Image Gate/The Image Gate/Getty Images)

The 2014 Grammy Award nominations were announced on Friday night, resulting (of course) in much head-scratching and second-guessing.

And those two things just happen to rank among my favorite hobbies. Yet, I also like to recognize a job well done — and the Recording Academy certainly nailed it in several situations.

So, it's time to break down the four “general field” categories and see what voters got right and wrong in this year's batch of nominees.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Nominees:

“The Blessed Unrest,” Sara Bareilles

“Random Access Memories,” Daft Punk

“Good Kid, M.A.A.D City,” Kendrick Lamar

“The Heist,” Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

“Red,” Taylor Swift

What voters got right: The Recording Academy should be applauded for recognizing the greatness of “Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City” — as well as its author. It's one of the best rap records of the last 10 years, and seems destined to someday be considered among the genre's essential platters. You'll be seeing “Good Kid” on all-time “best of” lists for decades to come. Also, it's good to see the Grammy get on the electronic dance music (EDM) bandwagon, honoring “Random Access Memories,” which was indeed the genre's most important album of the year. Plus, Swift never looks out of place in this category, having firmly established herself as one of pop music's most important artists. “Red” is another superb outing for the country-pop princess.

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What voters got wrong: The singles from “The Heist” are more impressive than the overall album, so I would've left that off the list. And, as you'll hear over and over, Bareilles really has no business being here. Kanye West really should've gotten a nod here, having delivered what was by far the most discussed and adventurous mainstream album of the year. In years to come, as West's “Yeezus” continues to perplex and fascinate listeners, this album of the year field is going to increasingly look like it was missing something. The biggest surprise is the absence of Justin Timberlake's “The 20/20 Experience,” since its author is seemingly the darling of the entertainment business and certainly one of the few artists who equally charms critics and fans.

RECORD OF THE YEAR

Nominees:

“Get Lucky,” Daft Punk and Pharrell Williams

“Radioactive,” Imagine Dragons

“Royals,” Lorde

“Locked Out of Heaven,” Bruno Mars

“Blurred Lines,” Robin Thicke Featuring T.I. and Pharrell

What voters got right: It's hard to fault four of the five nominees. “Get Lucky” was the EDM jam of the year, so it's nice to see it make the grade. And even though most of the world is probably tired of hearing “Royals” played seemingly every five minutes, it still ranks as a mighty fine song. Of course, it would be very fuzzy logic to keep “Blurred Lines” out of the mix. Then, of course, is the Mars number, which recalls Police-style “Synchroncity” magic.”

What voters got wrong: In a word: “Radioactive.” Sure, it's a major hit — but it's also one of the most unspectacular rockers you'll hear on radio. Voters should've used that spot to honor Florida Georgia Line's “Cruise” or Timberlake's “Mirrors” instead.

What voters got right: “Same Love” isn't the Macklemore tune I'm most likely to blast on my stereo. (That would be the superfun “Thrift Shop.”) Yet, there's no denying that “Same Love” — an expertly crafted same-sex-marriage anthem — is the rapper's most significant statement as an artist. So, I'm pleased that it made the grade, as well as “Royals,” which truly showcases that Lorde is one of the most exciting young voices in music. Yet, the best song in the bunch might be “Roar,” which is another winner from an artist who seemingly deals only aces.

What voters got wrong: It would have been great to see more hip-hop in the running. Notably, this seems like a proper place to honor Lamar's “Swimming Pools (Drank).” And how about J. Cole's excellent “Power Trip” or Drake's “Started From the Bottom?” Of course, this is another category that could've benefitted from some Kanye West (like the song “New Slaves”).

BEST NEW ARTIST

Nominees:

James Blake

Kendrick Lamar

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis

Kacey Musgraves

Ed Sheeran

What voters got right: Plenty — and they had much to pick from. In an outstanding year for new artists, Grammy voters definitely skimmed the cream of the crop by picking Lamar, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis and Musgraves.

What voters got wrong: One name seems blatantly missing — Lorde. She's an artist who could be around for decades to come, or perhaps slip from view in a matter of months. Trying to predict the future is real trick in this race. Just ask voters who once crowned Milli Vanilli as best new artist in 1990. Still, I'd definitely have gambled on Lorde over Sheeran, who's not a “new” artist anymore, or Blake.

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